David A. Zopf, M.D., M.S., an assistant professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, is recipient of the Faculty Innovation Award, which recognizes faculty who have made outstanding and innovative contributions to graduate medical education through areas in evaluation, education, quality, patient safety, leadership skills development, global outreach, and wellness.

Zopf exemplifies the innovative inventor and discoverer. He has made groundbreaking discoveries that are being rapidly translated into clinical practice and is a key leader in medical 3D-printing. He has worked with UNICEF, the United Nations, and multiple embassies and ambassadors in COVID-related efforts, as well as obtaining FDA approval for a novel ventilatory device during the pandemic. His teaching constructs are used throughout the nation and internationally for education. He continues to address health care challenges, and makes patient care safer though innovation in medical device engineering and education.

Received a 5 years NIH funding for our project “Study of Novel Nasopharyngeal Airway Device for Treating Upper Airway Obstruction in Pediatric Hypotonia”.

Our nasopharyngeal airway device for sleep apnea, named "SlumberFlow", won the $25,000 pediatric device prize from the Southwest National Pediatric Device Innovation Consortium (SWPDC) at the Rice Business Plan Competition (RBPC) in June 2020. RBPC is an annual worldwide startup competition among 42 of the most outstanding startups from some of the most prestigious universities.

Our Project "Multicenter Advanced Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellowship Prep Surgical Simulation Course with 3D Printed High-Fidelity Models" has won a 2020 Provost's Teaching Innovation Prize (TIP). The purpose of TIP is to honor faculty who have developed innovative approaches to teaching that incorporate creative pedagogies.